UN experts condemn Israel's renewed 'weaponised starvation' in Gaza

More than a dozen human rights experts have condemned Israel for reinstating what they call a policy of "weaponizing starvation" in the Gaza Strip. This follows Israel's decision to halt ceasefire efforts and block humanitarian aid from entering the region. These experts believe that this move is a blatant violation of international law and stifles any hope for peace.

In a statement, the UN independent experts said: "We are appalled by Israel's decision to once again suspend the entry of all goods and supplies, including life-saving humanitarian aid, into the Gaza Strip." They added: "As the occupying power, Israel has a constant obligation to ensure the provision of adequate food, medical supplies and other relief services. By deliberately depriving civilians of essential supplies, including sexual and reproductive health-related materials and assistive devices for persons with disabilities, Israel is once again weaponizing aid."

The press release also pointed out that this blockade violates international humanitarian and human rights law, and is considered a war crime and a crime against humanity under the Rome Statute. "The so-called three-phase ceasefire agreement was supposed to facilitate a permanent cessation of hostilities and the release of all illegally detained Palestinians and Israelis as the most basic requirement for achieving sustainable peace. However, it has led to further violence and even greater destruction of Palestinian lives. This is neither legitimate nor humane."

The experts stated that implementing a comprehensive siege policy against repeatedly displaced Palestinians, while destroying 80% of farmland and civilian infrastructure, will only "exacerbate the dire situation." The joint press release noted: "Creating unlivable conditions for Palestinians under Israeli occupation appears to be Israel's determination throughout the occupied Palestinian territory, from the devastated Gaza Strip to the West Bank." "The reality is that while the ceasefire offered a glimmer of hope for Palestinians and Israelis to recover, the shelling against Palestinians 'never stopped.'"

Although the fighting officially stopped on January 19, Israeli forces have repeatedly violated the ceasefire agreement by carrying out airstrikes and shootings against Palestinians since the truce began. "We are particularly dismayed that some countries and regional organizations have been quick to accept Israel's justification for cutting off aid to Gaza on the grounds of alleged Hamas violations of the ceasefire agreement, while Israel's repeated violations of the ceasefire agreement have gone largely unreported," the experts added. They urged mediators to intervene and uphold the ceasefire agreement, calling on the international community to take action to end "this brutal and endless assault on the Palestinian people and their rights, lest the whole world be engulfed in this storm of lawlessness and injustice."

Previously, Israeli ministers called for the reopening of the "gates of hell" in the besieged enclave, celebrating the aid blockade on Gaza and urging the cutting off of electricity and water supplies. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office announced the suspension of aid on Sunday. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich welcomed the decision, calling it "an important step in the right direction," and added in another statement that the next step in the Gaza war would be to cut off electricity and water supplies and to "open the gates of hell in Gaza with a powerful, deadly and swift attack."

This statement has sparked strong opposition from human rights organizations and experts, with many warning that it could exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, former Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir urged on Monday for a "complete shutdown of electricity and water supplies" and the bombing of aid supplies in Gaza, despite warnings from human rights organizations and experts that famine would occur in the besieged enclave. Ben-Gvir stated that these measures should be taken in the Gaza Strip in order to "starve Hamas" before resuming the war, so that "we can easily crush them later."

Ben-Gvir's statement came after plans by Israeli authorities to cut off water and electricity supplies had already been circulating. According to Israeli broadcaster Kan 11, these plans are part of Israel's strategy aimed at exerting "maximum pressure" on the Gaza Strip and Hamas.